The Borough Council, at their regular meeting on Monday, July 15, introduced several ordinances and gave out proclamations to the Memorial Day Co-Grand Marshals and to members of Social Justice Matters in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Kramer Manor neighborhood.
Councilman Jeff Banks read the proclamation for Brian Santos and his brother Father David Santos, the co-Grand Marshals of this year’s Scotch Plains-Fanwood Memorial Day Parade. The parade had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. The Santos brothers attended the meeting.
Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker read the proclamation for the Kramer Manor neighborhood, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary with an event this Saturday, July 20 from noon until 7 pm at Kramer Manor Park, Scotch Plains. Representatives of Social Justice Matters attended the meeting.
Borough Engineer Antonios Panagopoulos announced that he leaving at the end of the month for another position after serving the past three years as the borough’s engineer.
The council approved a resolution to extend the grace period to pay third quarter 2024 taxes due August 1st due to the delay in receiving a confirmed tax rate for 2024. Tax Collector Colleen Huehn has said information regarding the extended date will be shown on tax bills.
The council awarded a bid to Troller Electric, LLC, Ocean Township, to upgrade the Forest Road Park Building to be used for short-term housing during natural disasters or other loss of living events. The borough received an American Rescue Plan grant for the project.
The council introduced an ordinance to update the borough code regarding parks and recreation. Councilwoman McElroy Barker said the ordinance updates rules that are already in place for parks such as that they are open to the public from dawn to dusk and that motorized vehicles, e-bikes and electric scooters are not allowed on park pathways.
Business Administrator Jesse Moehlman added that the ordinance reflects the fee schedule for renting park facilities that is on the borough’s website, and the violations for anyone who damages trees and other park assets.
A second ordinance was introduced that repeals and replaces the borough’s zoning map with a map that reflects redevelopment areas that have been adopted, but not included on the previous map.
